A recent post on social media stated that ‘the process of finding a job can seem repetitive and hopeless.’ Well, there are some simple steps you can take to boost your chances of success.
Just remember, there’s never been a better time for job hunting. According to official figures, job vacancies in the UK recently hit 1.1 million. That’s the highest level since records began in 2001.
A director at the Office for National Statistics told the BBC that all industries have at least as many jobs on offer now as they did before the onset of Covid-19. It’s clear that the jobs market has continued to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
With that in mind, I’ve come up with some tips to ensure your job search is neither repetitive nor hopeless. Here’s my Six for Success….
Be Pro-Active
Don’t wait for the job to come to you. Research the types of companies operating in the industry you’re interested in. When you’ve got enough information about them and what they do, get in touch with them.
I’ve known a senior professional who was appointed by a company after contacting them to say he was new to the area. They were impressed by his pro-active approach and offered him a job soon afterwards.
This is an ideal way to side-step those crowded online job boards. Yes, it involves some perseverance because not every company you contact will be hiring. But just remember – it only takes one successful approach to open the door to a new opportunity.
Broad View
Make sure you don’t limit your search to just one online job board. Set up accounts with a few, in order to keep your options open. Focus on the job boards which are best suited to the types of vacancies you’re looking for. Your skill-set can then be matched more easily with the available jobs.
It’s also a great idea to use job search engines to hone-in on the kind of employment you’re aiming for - and in what location. You can sign-up for daily or weekly job alerts by email.
One of the best ways to help target your search is by using Google. I’ve found this really useful. Simply type-in what you’re looking for, including the geographical area, and Google does all the work for you. It’ll list all the suitable vacancies on different job boards and where to find them.
CV Review
Make sure your CV is right up-to-date. I can’t stress this enough. It’s vital your CV has the latest and most accurate information about you. Then you can tailor it to match the job you’re applying for.
Check your CV against the job advert and see if it needs tweaking to help make you stand out. If an important qualification is near the bottom, then move it to the top. Tailoring your CV for each application will take extra time, but it’s worth it.
It’s vital that your CV highlights the essential points listed in the job specification. Many organisations now use applicant tracking systems. That means when you submit your CV, tailored software picks out keywords that relate to the job advert.
Use Examples
This is all part of making your CV and covering letter fit the job description. Think of examples to illustrate your skills. As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog, many skills are transferrable. Good communication, problem solving and the ability to work in a team are all skills which can be used in lots of different roles.
If you’re successful in securing an interview, remember the STAR method of answering questions about your skills. It’s an ideal way to demonstrate your experience. You talk about the Situation you were in, the Task you had to do, the Action that you took – and the Result you achieved.
Nifty Networking
It’s always a good idea to do a bit of networking, both virtually and in-person. By that I mean you could tell your friends and family that you’re job hunting -and they can keep a look-out for you on social media and websites, or even hear something through the grapevine.
But if you’d prefer not to make your job search ‘public knowledge’ among your nearest and dearest, it’s worth creating a network of contacts online. Many recruiters search for candidates on the professional networking site LinkedIn, so having a presence on there could help.
If you know the sort of company you want to work for, LinkedIn could also help you make a direct approach to the right person at that business. As well as connecting with prospective employers, you can obtain recommendations from previous managers. That could be an extra bit of help to attract recruiters.
Pick up the Phone
In this age of digital devices and instant messaging, it may seem a bit old fashioned to actually pick up a phone and speak to a recruiter, but it’s still an effective approach. If you’ve applied online, it’s worthwhile following it up with a phone call.
Only recently, a candidate phoned me and said he thought it would make a difference if he introduced himself. And it certainly does make a difference. Your CV goes to the top of the pile because you took the trouble to make the phone call.
That phone conversation is a chance to not only get your personality across, but to build a relationship with the recruiter. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s not always easy to find a direct line telephone number to speak to someone, but a search on LinkedIn or the company website would be a good place to start.
I hope you’ll find those to be ‘Six of the Best’ job searching tips. And if you need any further help, don’t hesitate to contact Nomad HR and Recruitment.
